There’s a firm line drawn in the sand on the Summer Bay beach.
James Stewart has apparently caused tension on the Home and Away set after pursuing his co-star Ada Nicodemou romantically not long after calling it quits with ex-wife Sarah Roberts. Ada split from her long-time partner Adam Rigby at the end of 2023.
Sarah previously played Willow on the soap for four years, so she has a lot of continuing friendships with the cast and crew. Before his new relationship went public, Sarah and James were married for five years and were trying to have a baby.
An insider has exclusively told Yahoo Lifestyle that Sarah and Ada were also “close friends” before Ada started seeing James romantically.
“I know a lot of the cast and crew aren’t talking to Ada anymore because Ada and Sarah were really good friends. And no one respects someone who sleeps with their friend’s ex-husband,” the source claims.
Sarah is amazing. Literally the most lovely, beautiful person. All her friends are proud of her courage and resilience.”
Sarah opens up about split from James
Sarah shared her feelings about the end of her marriage in an interview with Stellar back in April saying that she had kept the split a secret for so long because she was afraid of the “shame and stigma.”
“Sometimes people just grow apart and that’s OK. I got to a point where I realised I couldn’t grow in the way I wanted to within this particular relationship,” she said in the interview.
“I’ve had to lean into the art of letting go. I think I held on for a while because I was afraid of feeling the sting of heartache and knowing the strength it would take to rebuild my life. I felt in some insidious way it was my fault I couldn’t fix something that I desperately wanted to fix. But slowly, over time, things feel stagnant and colours lose their brightness, and the mismatch – which is what it is – starts to become evident. Then the day finally comes when it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid and face the hurt.
“The sorrow is f*cking explosive. And that’s because a major chapter of my life was closing. A chapter I loved reading … I loved that chapter.”
Co-workers show their support for Sarah
After Sarah posted the news on her Instagram, many former Home and Away stars and crew members shared their support, with Sam Frost (who played Jasmine Delaney) leaving no doubt as to whose side she was on following the split.
“Yes girl, I’m very proud of you!!!! It’s so beautiful to see you sparkle again. You deserve nothing but the best,” Sam wrote. When a fan said they hoped Sam was supporting James through the divorce as well, she replied with: “No I’m definitely not. For very good reasons.”
The other comments weren’t as revealing but showed who seemed to be on Sarah’s side. Lukas Radovich (Ryder Jackson) and former Second Assistant Director Sandra Tahmasby left heart emojis, while Courtney Miller (Bella Nixon) wrote: “We love you Sar Bear”.
“Sending you lots of love, dear Sar,” Penny McNamee (Tori Morgan) added.
“I love you so much my friend Sarah, your strength is inspiring,” makeup supervisor and former star Laura Vazquez (Sarah Thompson) commented.
“Love you heaps, you are incredible,” Emily Weir (Mackenzie Booth) said.
“Keep shining Sah Bear,” Jake Ryan (Robbo Shaw) added.
“Up, up and away! PS these pics are gorgie,” Ash Brewer (Chelsea Campbell) wrote.
Have any of the Home and Away cast unfollowed James Stewart or Ada Nicodemou?
One fan commented on the post and said that “lots of the cast past and present have unfollowed both James and Ada”, so Yahoo Lifestyle decided to check it out.
Courtney Miller and Lukas Radovich are still following Sarah, but aren’t following James. Patrick O’Connor, Jake Ryan, Sam Frost and Ash Brewer follow Sarah, but aren’t following James or Ada.
Ada doesn’t follow Sarah, but she still follows Patrick O’Connor, Jake Ryan, and Sam Frost.
Sarah no longer follows Ada or James, and while she hasn’t commented publicly on his new relationship, she told Stellar she had “grown apart” from her ex-husband.
“My belief of marriage is that two people grow and learn from each other together. Sometimes people just grow apart and that’s OK,” she said at the time.
She’s still keen to have a child in the future and told the publication she wasn’t putting her plans on hold. “Having a child on my own is an option. I don’t shy away from adoption or foster care. I have such a big heart and so much love to give,” she said.
